Issue of 3 UPSC aspirants seeking another attempt 'very complicated': UPSC counsel to SC
India Today
UPSC told the Supreme Court that the matter of UPSC aspirants seeking another attempt to appear in the main examination was "very complicated".
The UPSC told the Supreme Court on Monday that the matter stated in a petition filed by three aspirants who passed their UPSC prelims examination but were unable to appear in all papers of the main exam after testing positive for COVID-19 and are now seeking a second chance to sit for the exams was "very complicated".
The petitioners are seeking directions from the UPSC to provide them with an additional attempt to sit for the examination or make arrangements for them to appear on the remaining papers that they were unable to give before publication of the result.
The UPSC's counsel informed the Supreme Court that he needs to receive instructions and place on record all the aspects before any decision is taken on the matter.
The UPSC's counsel told the two-member Supreme Court bench, "I think this is an issue which is very, very complicated. I think I need instructions and place on record all the aspects before your lordships, before any decision is taken."
The SC bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravikumar posted the matter for hearing on March 21 and has asked for affidavits to be filed by the parties before the next hearing.
While one petitioner could not appear on any of the papers due to Covid-19, the other two were unable to appear for the main exam held from January 7 to 16 even after they appeared for some initial papers.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for petitioners informed the bench that they had served a copy of the petition to both the respondents' counsel, i.e., the Centre and UPSC.
